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Toddler back home after being shot in drive by

Robeson County authorities continue to investigate a March 22 drive-by shooting that wounded Tayshawn Walters, 2.

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LUMBERTON, N.C. — Robeson County authorities continue to investigate a March 22 drive-by shooting that wounded Tayshawn Walters, 2.

Duke University Hospital released Tayshawn this past weekend. He will have to undergo three months of physical therapy.

“He's a little survivor. He's my little hero,” said Barbara McLaurin, Tayshawn's grandmother.

Tayshawn was at his other grandmother's house, 171 Von St., off U.S. Highway 301 in the Saddletree neighborhood north of Lumberton, when he was shot in the back. The boy was living there with his father, Montay Walters, his mother, Cherika McKinnon, and his brother, authorities said.

McKinnon said she had her son on her lap while working on the computer when the gunfire erupted outside.

“She says she tried to protect him. She got him onto the floor. I guess when she got back off of him, she realized that he was shot,” McLaurin said.

Authorities say they believe someone drove by and shot at least six times at the home and at parked cars. The bullet that hit Tayshawn pierced a nerve. He now has trouble moving his right arm.

“He didn't deserve to get shot,” McLaurin said. “I just wish today that God would put it in someone's heart that if they have any kind of information about this, to come forward."

McLaurin says the family has since moved out of the Von Street home and in with her.

“I thank God that my grandson is still living, that he is still here,” McLaurin said.

Authorities haven't released details about a motive for the shooting or possible suspects.

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